Which Nationals free agent targets declined their qualifying offer?

On Tuesday, every player around the league was responsible for coming to a formal decision about whether or not they would accept the qualifying offer. Out of the 13 players who were extended a qualifying offer, only one chose to accept it was righty Nick Martinez from the Cincinnati Reds. With there being 12 players who declined the qualifying offer, let's take a quick look at which potential free agent targets for the Washington Nationals declined on Tuesday.

As for why the qualifying offer is so important, any team that offers one of their impending free agents this is entitled to draft pick compensation in the MLB draft the following year. There are all sorts of criteria and stipulations involved with each player that will help decide the compensation that their former team would receive from their new team, and the graphic below helps to sort this out.

We have an expectation that the Washington Nationals will make at least one big splash in free agency, and perhaps the draft pick compensation could alter their plans for who they pursue, but it shouldn't matter in the long run. At the end of the day it's the job of Mike Rizzo and our front office to get the best talent in the clubhouse no matter what.

However, without any further waiting, let's go ahead and get into the Nationals free agent targets that declined the qualifying offer on Tuesday. I won't give super detailed write-ups on any of them, but all of the names below are surely going to be names that the club has either already been linked to or likely will actively pursue.

Pete Alonso

The power-hitting Alonso, the first baseman for the New York Mets, is set to make someone very happy this offseason, and perhaps it could be with a club he's used to seeing a lot of? The Nationals could entice the him to leave the Mets for a division rival, but admittedly it seems unlikely compared to some of the other names on this list.

Due to his team's larger payroll, the Mets would only receive draft compensation after the 4th round if he were to be signed.

Alex Bregman

Not to give away too much here, but Bregman has quietly become a favorite target for many Nationals fans this offseason. The longtime Houston Astros third baseman is set to cash in, and he checks a ton of boxes for the Nats.

He, like Alonso, carries the requirement for draft compensation beyond the 4th round, which is something to monitor as well.

Anthony Santander

Santander has long been predicted as a potential offseason addition for the Nationals thanks to the presence he would provide with his power and ability to drive in runs from both sides of the plate. The real question is if Santander would be willing to jump down the Beltway to play his ball for the foreseeable future in the Nation's Capital.

Due to the Orioles having a smaller payroll due to all of their young talent, Anthony Santander would carry draft compensation after the 1st round, which are selections sandwiched between the 1st two rounds of the draft.

Christian Walker

Another name that the club has already been connected to, Walker is going to be viewed by many as the older and cheaper alternative to Pete Alonso in free agency, but he's no slouch in his own right. After averaging 33 homers per season over the last three years, he is seeking one last big contract.

Similar to the Diamondbacks, Walker is going to reward the Arizona Diamondbacks with some solid draft compensation, should he decide to go in another direction.

Which player would you most want to sacrifice draft pick compensation for in order to sign? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.